{"id":2666,"date":"2024-11-13T13:56:20","date_gmt":"2024-11-13T18:56:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/?p=2666"},"modified":"2026-04-02T03:12:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T07:12:41","slug":"eye-boogers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/eye-boogers","title":{"rendered":"Eye Boogers 101: What To Know About Eye Discharge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eye boogers come from normal eye discharge (medical name: rheum). They\u2019re generally harmless and rarely serious, and everyone has them at times. But what are eye boogers, and why do we get them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, we\u2019ll discuss what normal eye boogers are and what causes them. We\u2019ll also let you know when eye gunk might be a sign of something that needs medical attention and what treatment might look like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div><!-- .entry-content (split for inline block) -->\n\n<section class=\"wp-blocks__banner no-img beige\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-blocks__banner-img\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Worried about eye gunk?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<p>Get your eyes checked by an expert optometrist<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-blocks-banner__cta-links\" style=\"flex-wrap:wrap;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/eye-exams\">Book an appointment <svg id=\"aa495747-7767-4ea8-bc8e-3e09f9e2a480\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 5.5 9.5\"><path d=\"M5.49,4.61a.87.87,0,0,1,0,.32.73.73,0,0,1-.2.35l-4,4A.75.75,0,0,1,.22,8.22L3.69,4.75.22,1.28A.75.75,0,0,1,1.28.22l4,4A.75.75,0,0,1,5.49,4.61Z\" style=\"fill:#1050D0;fill-rule:evenodd\"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"entry-content\"><!-- (reopen for inline block) -->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Are Eye Boogers?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It doesn\u2019t matter what you call it\u2014eye boogers, eye mucus, eye crust, or something else. It\u2019s that mass of goop or crusty bits you sometimes see (and maybe feel) around your eyes, especially upon waking in the morning. That gunk is typically the result of healthy eye discharge that\u2019s part of your eye\u2019s normal function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why do eye boogers form? Let\u2019s talk a little about how and why your eyes produce eye boogers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Causes Eye Boogers? How Healthy Eye Gunk Forms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The surface of your eye is covered with a clear coating of tears called the tear film. This coating keeps the eye moist and helps protect it from irritants and bacteria. The tear film also \u201cfeeds\u201d your eye with oxygen and nutrients. It keeps your eye\u2019s surface smooth so it can focus light properly\u2014an important part of the vision process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, imagine a car\u2019s wipers spreading washer fluid across the windshield while they whisk away dirt. Likewise, each time you blink, you\u2019re spreading new tear film across your eye while washing off debris, skin cells, and old tear film. This mixture of matter is what your eye discharge is ordinarily made of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you\u2019re asleep, your eyes aren\u2019t blinking. As a result, eye discharge collects in the corners of your eyes and on the lash line. Here, the discharge coagulates and forms eye boogers. These typical eye boogers can be crusty, watery, or goopy\u2014and might appear clear, white, or tinged with a little bit of yellow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other Reasons for Eye Discharge: Possible Eye Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes, eye boogers can indicate a bacterial or viral <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/eye-infections\">eye infection<\/a> or other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/eye-disorders-and-eye-diseases\">eye condition<\/a>, especially if you see a lot of goop, it\u2019s an odd color, or if it occurs with other symptoms (we\u2019ll go over these later).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s take a look at some eye issues that can cause more atypical eye discharge and eye boogers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Allergies:<\/strong> Allergens can cause eyes to water more than usual, which could make eyes more crusty too.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Blepharitis: <\/strong>Otherwise known as inflamed eyelids, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/blepharitis\">blepharitis<\/a> is a common eye condition that can result in very crusty eyes from extra discharge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/blocked-tear-duct\">Blocked tear duct<\/a>:<\/strong> A normally functioning tear duct helps your eye drain excess tears. When a duct is blocked, the tears have nowhere to go and collect in the eye\u2019s corners and on the eyelids. So extra eye mucus could be a symptom of a blocked tear duct. Excessive eye boogers in babies may be dacryostenosis, a congenital blocked tear duct that\u2019s fairly common in newborns.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Conjunctivitis (pink eye):<\/strong> Excessive eye mucus or watery discharge is a common symptom of both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/conjunctivitis\">viral and bacterial conjunctivitis<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/dry-eyes\">Dry eyes<\/a>:<\/strong> It may seem odd that dry eyes can cause eye boogers, but one possible sign of dry eyes is excess tears, which can accumulate and form eye gunk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Eye infections: <\/strong>A greater-than-usual amount of gunky eye discharge and boogers can signal an eye infection. In some cases, the eye boogers may look unusual too. They could contain pus, which can make them appear more green, yellow, or gray.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Eye injury:<\/strong> An eye injury like a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/corneal-abrasion\">corneal abrasion<\/a> (scratched cornea) can cause an increase in tears and eye discharge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Object stuck in the eye: <\/strong>An object like a piece of dust <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/how-to-get-something-out-of-your-eye\">stuck behind an eyelid<\/a>, for instance, can cause the eye to produce extra tears in an effort to flush it out. The extra tears can collect and become eye boogers.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stye: <\/strong>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/what-is-a-stye\">stye is similar to a pimple on your eyelid<\/a>, often due to an infected oil gland. Styes can ooze and cause crusty eyes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When Eye Mucus Could Be a Sign of an Eye Issue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">See an eye doctor if you experience any of these symptoms along with normal eye discharge. They could indicate an eye condition or health issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Blurred vision<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Constantly watery eyes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Excessive eye boogers, especially if they are green, yellow, or gray<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/why-do-my-eyes-hurt\">Eye pain<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Eyes stuck together with eye mucus<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fever<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/itchy-eyes\">Itchy eyes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/photophobia\">Photophobia<\/a> (light sensitivity)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Swollen or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/how-to-get-rid-of-red-eyes\">red eyes<\/a> or eyelids<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>White, stringy mucus in the eye<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Eye Discharge Treatment and Home Remedies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First of all, let\u2019s talk about what <em>not<\/em> to do. Don\u2019t rub your eyes, touch the surface of your eyes, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/mucus-fishing-syndrome\">\u201cfish\u201d mucus from your eyes<\/a>. These practices can cause an eye injury or make an existing problem worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re concerned about eye discharge, it\u2019s best to seek help from an eye doctor. Based on the cause, they might recommend a medical solution, home remedy, or a combination of these to get rid of the mucus and crustiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another note: Refrain from using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/contacts\">contact lenses<\/a> and see an eye doctor if you&#8217;re having problems with eye mucus or are experiencing any issues with your eyes or vision.\u00a0 Be sure to remove your contact lenses before trying any remedies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s take a look at common treatments your doctor might recommend for eye boogers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Eye drops: <\/strong>Your eye doctor might recommend a specific type of eye drop depending on what&#8217;s causing the problem. For instance, in case of an infection, they might prescribe antibiotic eye drops. If the issue is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/dry-eyes\">dry eye syndrome<\/a>, your doctor might suggest <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/eye-drops-for-dry-eyes\">eye drops for dry eyes<\/a>, like artificial tears. Antihistamine drops could help someone suffering from eye allergies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Medication:<\/strong> Medication taken orally might be indicated to clear an underlying eye or health condition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Warm compress: <\/strong>Placing a clean, warm washcloth over your closed eyes for a few minutes can help soften the eye crust and relieve discomfort.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cold compress:<\/strong> Alternatively, your doctor might tell you to use a cold compress to soothe symptoms like itchiness or redness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cleaning your eyes:<\/strong> Your eye doctor may suggest using a clean washcloth or cotton pad moistened in warm water to gently remove eye mucus and crust from the eyes. Be sure to wash your hands before and after you clean your eyes in case a contagious condition is causing the eye gunk.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Eye Discharge is Normal, But\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gunky eyes are usually nothing to worry about. But to be safe, ask an eye doctor if your eye gunk seems to be too much or looks odd. They\u2019ll alert you to any underlying eye health condition that needs treatment. In fact, whenever something is \u201coff\u201d about your eyes or anytime you have questions about eye care, it\u2019s best to make an eye appointment (and we know where you can do that).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Eye boogers come from normal eye discharge (medical name: rheum). They\u2019re generally harmless and rarely serious, and everyone has them at times. But what are eye boogers, and why do we get them? In this article, we\u2019ll discuss what normal eye boogers are and what causes them. We\u2019ll also let you know when eye gunk [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":2667,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2666","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-eye-health"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Eye Boogers 101: What To Know About Eye Discharge | Warby Parker<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What&#039;s that mucus coming out of your eyes? 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